icj-orders-immediate-halt-to-israel-s-ops-on-gaza

The World Court, also known as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), has issued an urgent order for Israel to immediately stop its military offensive in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. This ruling is a result of a case brought by South Africa, which accuses Israel of committing genocide.

 

The ICJ's president, Nawaf Salam, announced the decision, highlighting the deteriorating conditions in Gaza since the court's previous directives to Israel. The court determined that the criteria for a new emergency order were met due to the worsening situation. Salam stated that Israel must cease all military actions in Rafah that could lead to the destruction of the Palestinian population there.

 

One of the main issues cited by the court was Israel's failure to provide adequate information about the safety of the evacuees and the availability of essential supplies like food, water, and medicine for the 800,000 Palestinians who had fled Rafah. The court concluded that Israel had not adequately addressed these concerns, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

 

 

The ICJ also mandated that Israel open the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to enter and provide access for investigators. Israel is required to report back on its progress within one month. This ruling was supported by 13 out of the 15 judges, with only the judges from Uganda and Israel dissenting.

 

This decision follows a request made by South Africa as part of its larger case accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention. The ICJ's orders are final and binding, although the court lacks enforcement power and its rulings have been ignored in the past.

 

Israel has rejected the genocide accusations, maintaining that its actions in Gaza are self-defense against Hamas militants. An Israeli government spokesperson emphasised that no power on earth would stop Israel from defending its citizens and targeting Hamas.

 

The situation has also drawn attention from the International Criminal Court (ICC), where the chief prosecutor has filed for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of crimes including extermination and using hunger as a weapon. Israel has denied these charges and called for international support against the ICC's actions.

 

Outside the court in The Hague, a small group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered, expressing their support for the ruling.

 

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties, with over 35,000 Palestinians killed according to Gaza's health ministry, and has forced hundreds of thousands to flee, raising the risk of a humanitarian catastrophe.

 

The international community continues to watch closely as Israel and Hamas engage in intense conflict, with calls for ceasefire and humanitarian relief growing louder amidst the devastating impacts on civilian populations.